Carney reaches out to pro-Canada referendum campaigners in Banff

BANFF — Amid criticism that he’s not doing enough to boost anti-separatist forces in Alberta, Prime Minister Mark Carney met with pro-Canada volunteers outside a cabinet gathering in this Rocky Mountain resort town.

On Thursday at the cabinet planning forum, Carney wouldn’t commit to injecting federal money into the pro-Canada side, but urged people to vote in the Oct. 19 referendum that includes a question on Alberta’s future in Confederation.

Your weekday lunchtime roundup of curated links, news highlights, analysis and features.

A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.

Anti-separatist, Forever Canadian crusader Thomas Lukaszuk pulled up outside the cabinet meeting Friday in his campaign RV for a brief chat with Carney. The prime minister, he said, invited him to the gathering.

He said he’s not concerned that Carney hasn’t made a major effort to counter separatists in Alberta ahead of the referendum, which asks Albertans if they want to proceed to a binding vote on independence.

“I know the prime minister will become much more visible when the right time comes,” said Lukaszuk.

“The prime minister made comments (Thursday) about the importance of the referendum and voter turnout. That means you’re doing your job.”

But he said Conservative politicians who have pledged support have yet to show it.

Just before he departed Banff, Carney chatted and joked with a throng of Forever Canadian volunteers before leading a rendition of O Canada with them.

He scrawled “Canada is everyone and for everyone,” on the side of the Forever Canadian RV.